Malasombra
100% Graciano
 |
The Malasombra cuvée is made from grapes from a one hectare plot planted 28 years ago . This Certified Organic plot is located in Andosilla on a southern slope which allows a perfect maturation of this long-cycle variety. The limestone soil is covered with pebbles and is shallow. A dry climate (350mm of rain annually) and a lot of heat make it possible to obtain healthy grapes, harvested at maturity. Andosilla is in the province of Navarra, but is located in the D.O. Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja).
After several attempts to make Graciano cuvées meeting his standards, Luis considers that he has finally found an optimal plot and conditions allowing him to tame this difficult to cultivate chameleon grape whose acidity and tannins can surprise many. The southern orientation allowing a harvest at full phenolic maturity and the use of 500l barrels are two important factors of its success. As always, the vinification is with indigenous yeasts. The must is macerated on the skins for 22 days and a cold fermentation with the objective of extracting the minimum of “green” (harsh) tannins and maximizing its most fruity expression. After fermentation, the wine is transferred in stainless steel tanks where malolactic conversion will naturally occur. The wine is aged in used 225 liter barrels for almost a year. Bottling is done without clarification or filtering. As Luis says: A pure wine, without make-up, made with minimal intervention. 2020 vintage |
Reviews
2017 Vintage
- The 2017 Malasombra is a varietal Graciano from an organically certified plot of one hectare that was planted 25 years ago in the village of Andosilla in Navarra but also within the limits of the Rioja appellation. It fermented with indigenous yeasts with a short maceration, looking for varietal purity. It matured in used 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. It has a dark color and a nose of dark berries with an earthy touch, with good ripeness and integrated oak. The palate is lively and balanced, it shows good acidity and focused, clean flavors. A good Graciano, not an easy thing to do. 1,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.
92 pts — Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate #248 (Apr. 2020)